Computer storage components that provide external and internal access

ABSTRACT

A primary computing device and a secondary computing device couple with an internal storage component of the primary device powered by, and data accessed by either the first or secondary computing device. The internal storage component includes multiple connectors for connecting internal buses and external buses over which data can be accessed, internally or externally. It includes an internal storage unit (in general, at least one storage unit, and multiple storage units are supported) to which data can be written and from which data can be read. It also includes arbitration and isolation circuitry that makes it possible to access the internal storage unit (for read/write data access, etc.) over one of the buses. The arbitration and an isolation circuitry also facilitates powering the internal storage component employing power supplied by an internal power source, or via an external power source, such as power from an USB connection.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present U.S. Utility patent application claims priority under 35U.S.C. §120, as a continuation of U.S. Utility patent application Ser.No. 12/182,804, filed Jul. 30, 2008, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety for all purposes.

The Ser. No. 12/182,804 application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/058,678, filed Jun. 4,2008, which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety forall purposes.

The present application is also related to the following U.S. Utilitypatent applications:

Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/182,651, filed on Jul. 30, 2008and entitled “Access of built-in peripheral components by internal andexternal bus pathways” (BP7204), which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety for all purposes; and

Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/183,243, filed on Jul. 31, 2008and entitled, “Remote access to an internal storage component of anelectronic device via an external port” (BP7205), which is alsoincorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to computer architecture, and, moreparticularly, to the hard disk storage devices inside a computer or anycomputing device.

2. Related Art

Internal storage components are integral part of most present dayelectronic devices and computing devices. Electronic devices andcomputing devices that utilize at least one internal storage componentinclude personal computers, notebook computers, tablet personalcomputers, set top boxes, video players, personal video recorders,televisions, palm PCs (Personal Computer), cell phones, PDAs (PersonalDigital Assistants) and a variety of media players. Internal storagecomponents that have permanent storage abilities come in many varieties,such as hard disk drives and flash memories.

Internal storage components have limited access, that is, they areaccessed for reading and writing, typically only by internal processingcircuitry of the electronic device or computing device. This limitedaccessibility restricts the internal storage components from being usedwhen the device is powered down or not in a working condition. Even whenthey are in working condition and powered on, the limited accessibilityof internal storage components restricts a user from quicklytransferring data stored therein to another electronic device orcomputing device. For example, a user whose first notebook computer isnot working, e.g., because it cannot be powered up, cannot access anydata stored in it. One of the reasons is that the user is unable toaccess a hard disk drive that may be present in the first notebookcomputer. The user may not be able to continue his work using anotherpersonal computer or notebook computer unless the hard disk drive of thefirst computer is accessed by enabling the first notebook computer. Theuser would typically take the first notebook computer (that is notworking) to a computer service center and have the hard disk driveremoved and the contents transferred to a Compact Disc (CD), etc. Thedata recovery causes the user to lose valuable time and thus results inloss of business, work, and/or revenues.

Users sometimes transfer data from one computing device (that may not beoperable) to another. One example of such transfer is when a usertransfers hard disk drive contents from a personal computer to anotebook computer. Such transfer requires a removable storage devicesuch as a pen drive, a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Video Disc) ora portable hard disk drive that is large enough to handle the entirevolume of the hard disk drive. Alternatively, the user may use a localarea network connection to transfer the hard disk drive contents fromone computer to another. A user that is not equipped with thesefacilities (memory stick, CD, LAN, etc.) or one who does not have enoughtime to take such measures would be unable to accomplish the datatransfer.

Data transfer between computers/PCs/notebooks also requires applicationsoftware to manage the data transfer between devices, and in particular,requires both computers to have applications that support the datatransfer running. Also, sometimes, internal storage components of thecomputers are not compatible due to construct, size, or othercharacteristics. In addition, internal storage component drivers may notbe available if the internal storage component is moved to a new devicewhere the data is needed, and a custom designed internal storagecomponent may not fit easily. These and other limitations anddeficiencies associated with the related art may be more fullyappreciated by those skilled in the art after comparing such related artwith various aspects of the present invention as set forth herein withreference to the figures.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operationof a storage device comprising multiple buses that are further describedin the following Brief Description of the Drawings, the DetailedDescription of the Invention, and the Claims.

Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description of the invention made withreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a local coupled network wherein a primarycomputing device and a secondary computing device are communicativelycoupled and wherein an internal storage component in the primary deviceis powered by power supplied from the secondary computing device anddata is accessed by the secondary computing device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a local coupled network wherein a primarycomputing device and a secondary computing device communicatively coupleand wherein a motherboard of the primary computing device includes aconnector and control circuitry for a host bus as well as aconnector/extender for an external data and power bus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a multi-bus storage device built inaccordance with the present invention that facilitates access to storeddata over one of a plurality of buses that connect to it.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a local network wherein a primary computingdevice comprising a multi-bus storage device makes it possible to accessthe data stored in the multi-bus storage device from at least one of aplurality of other devices communicatively coupled to the computingdevice via a connector and an external data and power bus.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a local network wherein a primary computingdevice comprising a multi-bus storage device makes it possible to accessthe data stored in the multi-bus storage device from at least one of aplurality of other devices communicatively coupled to the primarycomputing device via a connector and an external data and power bus,wherein each of the other devices themselves include a multi-bus storagedevice that is accessed by the primary computing device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a multi-bus storage device thatfacilitates authentication, control and secure data transfer from/to aninternal bus and one or more external devices over appropriate buses.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a primary computing device that includes amulti-bus storage component that is capable of simultaneously connectingto one or more internal and external devices over appropriate connectorsand buses while arbitrating access to a storage unit.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary operation of an internal storagecomponent in a computing device built in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a local coupled network 103 wherein aprimary computing device 105 and a secondary computing device 151 arecommunicatively coupled and wherein an internal storage component 125 inthe primary computing device 105 is powered by power supplied from thesecondary computing device 151 and data is accessed by the secondarycomputing device 151. The secondary computing device 151 includescentral processing circuitry 153, an internal power source 155, andexternal bus circuitry 157. The external bus circuitry 157 of thesecondary computing device 151 couples to connector 119 of the primarycomputing device 105 via an external data and power bus 159 that may bea cable having a jacket 161.

The internal storage component 125 includes multiple connectors (andcontroller circuits, hereinafter either “connectors,” “ports,” and/or“connector and controller circuits”) 131 and 133 for connecting internalbuses and external buses over which data (and power) can be accessed.The internal storage component 125 includes an internal storage unit 127(in general, at least one storage unit, and multiple storage units aresupported) to which data can be written and from which data can be readand arbitration/isolation circuitry 129 that makes it possible to accessthe internal storage unit 127 (for read/write data access, etc.) overone of the buses 131 or 133 (via external data bus 141). Thearbitration/isolation circuitry 129 also facilitates powering theinternal storage component 125 employing power supplied by an internalpower source 111, or via an external power source, such as power from aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) connection via external power bus 139.

In accordance with the present invention, internal storage component 125may be accessed by the central processing unit 107 via the host bus 109or by the secondary computing device 151 via the connector 119 and theexternal data & power bus 115. In one embodiment, the ports 131 and 133service power, data, address and control signals. For example aninternal storage component 125 with dual port support, supports one port131 for connecting to an internal host bus 109 in the primary computingdevice 105 that provides internal data (data, address and controlsignals), an internal power bus 113, and another port 133 to an externalbus 115 that services an external device, such as the secondarycomputing device 151, via connector 119. The internal storage component125 conducts arbitration and isolation needed to support access from themultiple ports 131, 133. The internal storage component 125 includesarbitration & isolation circuitry 129 for arbitrating access, andisolating power supply, from one of the available ports 131 or 133.Support for power isolation makes it possible to use the storage deviceeven when the primary computing device 105 (which can be a computer/PCor other device) is powered off or unavailable. Thus, the power needs ofthe internal storage component 125 may be met from an external system orfrom an internal power source 111.

If the primary computing device 105 is not plugged into a power source(or is somehow disabled), or if primary computing device 105 is poweredoff and is being carried in your computer case, there is now a way toaccess data stored in the internal storage component 125. For example,the secondary computing device 151, that is powered up and functional,can be connected employing the connector 119 (such as a USB connector)and an external data and power bus 159 (such as a USB cable). The datastored in the internal storage component 125 is now accessible to thesecondary computing device 151. The secondary computing device 151 canbe a PDA, a cell phone a laptop computer, etc.

There is no need for a specialized application software to manage thedata transfer over the external data and power bus 159 between theprimary computing device 105 and the secondary computing device 151.Thus, if the primary computing device 105 is dead or cannot be poweredup, the data stored in the internal storage component 125 is stillaccessible from an external device that can supply power and interactover a cable.

In general, the internal storage device 125 supports multiple buses,including an internal host bus 109 and an external data and power bus115. For example, the external data and power bus 115 is a USB bus thatprovides power as well as data connection, or an Ethernet bus thatprovides Ethernet connectivity as well as power. The internal storagedevice 125 includes one or more storage units 127. For example, it mayinclude two SCSI storage units or an internal RAID storage unit. Theinternal storage device 125 is one of SCSI based HD, an ATAPI based HD,a FLASH based storage unit, a DVD based storage unit, a CD ROM drive, aremovable drive, a floppy drive, an optical storage unit, a magneticstorage, etc. It is typically mounted inside the primary computingdevice 105.

The internal storage component 125 supports one or more buses, witharbitration provided between the buses to provide access to one bus at atime (for example). A bus typically includes two or more wires that areused in whole or in part to manage addressing, dataflow, control, andpower. Some buses, such as USB provide power, while other buses, such asSCSI do not, and an internal power source 111 is used to provide aninternal power over an internal power bus 113.

In a new internal storage component 125, in accordance with thisinvention, there may be two (or more) ports, and associated buses—forexample, a left hand side port and a right hand side port, one pluggedto a bus on the primary computing device 105, the other, via theconnector 133, to connector 119 that is disposed on the housing of theprimary computing device 105. A secondary computing device 151 that isexternal to the primary computing device 105 can now communicate usingthis connector 119. The internal storage component 125 may include twoor more sets of connectors/ports. It employs a plurality of connectortypes and associated protocols for communication. For example, an USBconnector/port 133 and a Firewire connector/port (not shown) may beprovided on the internal storage component 125 in addition to theconnector 131 employed for a host bus 109.

In general, the internal storage component 125 includes read-channelcircuitry, one or more connector and control circuitry 131, 133, andarbitration and isolation circuitry 129. Attempting to write data to theinternal storage component 125 involves encoding for high reliability,encryption for security, interface circuitry, etc.

In one embodiment, each bus feeds data into an appropriate arbitrationblock provided by the arbitration and isolation circuitry 129. Oneoutput of the arbitration and isolation circuitry 129 is the selectedarbitration block (from among those available) which then goes into aread channel of the storage unit 127 via storage data bus 135.Similarly, power from an internal power source 111 and from externalsources (provided over buses) goes into the arbitration and isolationcircuitry 129 where power control and isolation is enforced via a powerbus 137 that supplies power to the storage unit 127.

In one embodiment, the internal storage component 125 also includes abridge to radio circuitry that facilitates communication with thesecondary computing device 151, which seeks access to the internalstorage component 125. The arbitration and isolation circuitry 129arbitrates access between the host bus 109 and the external data andpower bus 115 that terminates at the radio circuitry (instead of theconnector 119), a wireless bridge provided at the radio circuitryproviding wireless access from the secondary computing device 151 (thatis external).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a local coupled network 203 wherein aprimary computing device 205 and a secondary computing device 251 arecommunicatively coupled and wherein a motherboard 221 of the primarycomputing device 205 includes connector and control circuitry 231 for ahost bus 209 as well as a connector/extender 233 for an external dataand power bus 215 and external data and power bus 241. An internalstorage component 225 in the primary computing device 205 is powered bypower supplied from the secondary computing device 251, or by theinternal power supplied over the internal power bus 213 by an internalpower source 211. Data is accessed by the secondary computing device 251by providing power if necessary over the external data and power bus259. The primary computing device 205 extends the data and power bus 259internally up to the internal storage component 225 via theconnector/extender 233. The secondary computing device 251 includescentral processing circuitry 253, an internal power source 255, andexternal bus circuitry 257, which couples the secondary computing device251 to the primary computing device 205 via external data and power bus259 using a cable that may have a jacket 261.

The internal storage component 225 includes arbitration and isolationcircuitry 229 that makes it possible to arbitrate data access to storageunits 227 between an internal host bus 209 and the one or more externaldata and power buses 241.

In general, the motherboard 221 includes central processing circuitry207, connector & controller circuitry 231 that facilitates communicationwith the internal storage component 225 over the host bus 209, and oneor more connectors 233 that facilitate data access from external devicescoupled via external data and power bus 215 via connector 219. In oneembodiment, the connector/extender 233 is a USB connector that extendsthe external USB connection all the way to the internal storagecomponent 225. In one embodiment, the motherboard 221 also includes thearbitration & isolation circuitry 229 instead of such circuitry beingincluded with the internal storage component 225.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a multi-bus storage device 315 built inaccordance with the present invention that facilitates access to storeddata over one of a plurality of buses that connect to it. The multi-busstorage device 315 provides connectors for connecting to a plurality ofpower buses 321, 323, and 343, and to a plurality of data buses 325,327, and 345, some of which may share common elements. Each bus mayemploy a different appropriate protocol, facilitating data access anddata transfer. For example, a USB bus can be connected over a USBconnector, a Firewire bus can be connected over a Firewire connector, aSCSI bus is connected over a SCSI connector, an IDE bus is connectedover an IDE connector, an ATAPI bus is connected over an ATAPIconnector, an Ethernet bus is connected over an Ethernet connector, etc.

The multi-bus storage device 315 includes one or more storage units 317,the access to which is managed and controlled by a read/write circuitry319. Arbitration circuitry 309 arbitrates access to the read/writecircuitry 319 among the plurality of data buses 325, 327, and 345connected to/supported by the multi-bus storage device 315. Anarbitrated data bus 313 (for data, control, addresses etc.) providesdata to the read/write circuitry 319 while an isolated power bus 311provides power to the read/write circuitry 319 and the storage unit 317.Isolation circuitry for power 307 selectively couples the external powerbus 343, the internal power bus 321, and the external power bus 323 tothe isolated power bus 311 and thereby selects one of the incoming powerlines/cables as a source of power to the storage unit 317, theread/write circuitry 319, etc. In addition to selecting the incomingpower supply, the isolation circuitry for power 307 isolates powerprovided by external power bus 343, internal power bus 321, and externalpower bus 323 such that a single one of these power buses provides powerto the isolated power bus 311. The multi-bus storage device 315 operatesas long as at least one external bus is plugged into a correspondingconnector and at least one source of power is available.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a local network 403 wherein a primarycomputing device 405 that includes a multi-bus storage device 425 makesit possible to access data stored in the multi-bus storage device 425from at least one of a plurality of other devices communicativelycoupled to the primary computing device 405 via a connector 419 and anexternal data and power bus 459. The primary computing device 405 isconnected to a PDA 465, a MP3 player 463, a mobile phone 461, and asecondary computing device 451, all of which are capable of not onlyproviding power to the multi-bus storage device 425 when necessary, butalso capable of accessing the multi-bus storage device 425 for datastorage and retrieval. The secondary computing device 451 includescentral processing circuitry 453, an internal power source 455, andexternal bus circuitry 457 that couples the secondary computing device451 to the external data and power bus 459.

The multi-bus storage device 425 includes arbitration & isolationcircuitry 429 that arbitrates access to a storage unit 427 from the PDA465, the MP3 player 463, the mobile phone 461 and the secondarycomputing device 451 when they are connected to the primary computingdevice 405 via the connector 419 and the external data and power bus459. The arbitration & isolation circuitry 429 also isolates powerdelivered to the multi-bus storage device 425 from an internal powersource 411 via internal power bus 443 and from the various externaldevices such as the PDA 465, the MP3 player 463, the mobile phone 461that may also provide power to the multi-bus storage device 425.

Central processing circuitry 407 of the primary computing device 405 mayalso access the multi-bus storage device 425 via host bus 409. Connectorand controller circuitries 431 and 433 couple to host bus 409 andexternal data and power bus 445, respectively. Connector and controllercircuitry 431 provides access to the host bus 409 to thearbitration/isolation circuitry 429. Connector and controller circuitry433 couples the external data and power bus 445 to external data bus andexternal power bus that couple to the arbitration/isolation circuitry429. Arbitration/isolation circuitry 429 couples to storage unit 427 viastorage data bus 435 and power bus 437.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a local network 503 having a primarycomputing device 505 that includes a multi-bus storage device 525 makingit possible to access for a plurality of other devices 551, 561, 563,and 565 that couple to the primary device 505 via a connector 519 and anexternal data and power bus 559 to access the multi-bus storage device525. Each of the other devices 551, 561, 563, and 565 may includesrespective multi-bus storage that is accessed by the primary computingdevice 505. A PDA 565, a MP3 player 563, a mobile phone 561 and asecondary computing device 551 each include a multi-bus storage that issimilar in functionality to the multi-bus storage device 535, providingaccess over the external data and power bus 559 to the primary computingdevice 505 and to each other. In addition, power is provided by one ofthese devices 565, 563, 561 and 551 to the primary computing device 505and to each other, if necessary. Each of the devices 565, 563, 561 and551 can provide power when necessary to another, and their internalmulti-bus storage provides access to stored data to other devices.

The primary computing device 505 includes central processing circuitry507 that couples to the multi-bus storage device 525 via host bus 509.Internal power source 511 provides power to the multi-bus storage device525 via internal power bus 553. Connection 519, that may couple toexternal data and power bus 559 couples to multi-bus storage device 525via external data and power bus 545 and provides both data and powercoupling between the devices 551, 563, 561, and 551 to the multi-busstorage device 525.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a multi-bus storage device 615that facilitates authentication, control and secure data transferfrom/to an internal bus 625 and one or more external devices overappropriate buses 627, 645. The multi-bus storage device 615 includessecure read/write circuitry 619 that makes it possible to encrypt datawritten to and decrypt data retrieved from a hard disk/storage 617.Security keys or certificates used for encryption/decryption are basedon the external device or the internal bus 625 (or an internalapplication currently accessing) that reads/writes into the multi-busstorage device 615.

The multi-bus storage device 615 also includes a read/writeauthentication & control 629 that facilitates external deviceauthentication, internal application authentication, control of datatransfer, to and from the hard disk/storage 617. The multi-bus storagedevice 615 further includes arbitration circuitry for data 609 thatarbitrates access to the hard disk/storage 617 between one or more buses625, 627, and 645 requesting access to the hard disk/storage 617. Themulti-bus storage device 615 further includes isolation circuitry forpower 607 that is used to select one of the available power sources forsupplying power to the hard disk/storage 617 from power buses 621, 623,and 643 and for providing power isolation from such buses when not inuse.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a primary computing device 705 thatincludes a multi-bus storage component 725 that is capable ofsimultaneously connecting to one or more internal and external devicesover appropriate connectors and buses while arbitrating access to astorage unit 727. The primary computing device 705 includes a pluralityof connectors 747, 749, and 719 that each connect a correspondingexternal device to the multi-bus storage component 725 thereby providingaccess for storage and retrieval of data and for selective powerdelivery to the multi-bus storage component 725.

The multi-bus storage component 725 includes a plurality of connector &controller circuitries 743, 745, 733, each employed to support acorresponding data transfer protocol and cable. The multi-bus storagecomponent 725 also includes arbitration and isolation circuitry 729 thatfacilitates selection of one of the external devices, or an internalhost bus 709, for access to a storage unit 727 that stores data. Thearbitration and isolation circuitry 729 also selects one of the powerlines provide by the connector and control circuitry 743, 745, 733 andan internal power bus 713 (fed by internal power source 711) as a sourceof power to the storage unit 727. In general, one or more externaldevices can access the multi-bus storage component 725 via appropriateconnectors 747, 749, and 719 and the corresponding control circuitry743, 745, 733, respectively.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary operation of an internal storagecomponent in a computing device built in accordance with the presentinvention. The operation starts at a block 809 when the computing devicestarts supplying power from an internal power source of the firstcomputing device and from an external power source associated with anexternal device via an external connector. Then, at a next block 811,power is supplied to the internal storage component selectivelyemploying one of the internal power source or the external power source.This implies that one of the available power sources is selected, basedon come criteria or configurations. Then, at a next block 813, theinternal storage component provides access to data employing one of aninternal bus associated with the first computing device or an externalbus associated with and communicatively coupled to the external device.Thus, one of these two devices, employing appropriate buses andprotocols, is able to access data stored, with arbitration provided byan arbitration circuitry in the internal storage component.

Then, at a next block 815, power isolation is provided by an isolationcircuitry in the internal storage component between the internal powersource and the external power source, when connecting one of them to thestorage units controlled by the internal storage component. Processingthen terminates after the end of the data access.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the term“communicatively coupled,” as may be used herein, includes wireless andwired, direct coupling and indirect coupling via another component,element, circuit, or module. As one of average skill in the art willalso appreciate, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupledto another element by inference) includes wireless and wired, direct andindirect coupling between two elements in the same manner as“communicatively coupled.”

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention.

One of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functionalbuilding blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and componentsherein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete components,application specific integrated circuits, processors executingappropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

Moreover, although described in detail for purposes of clarity andunderstanding by way of the aforementioned embodiments, the presentinvention is not limited to such embodiments. It will be obvious to oneof average skill in the art that various changes and modifications maybe practiced within the spirit and scope of the invention, as limitedonly by the scope of the appended claims.

1. An apparatus comprising: a storage unit to store data; and anarbitration/isolation circuitry coupled to the storage unit, wherein thearbitration/isolation circuitry is coupled to an internal power sourceand operable to couple to an external power source of an externaldevice, when the external device is coupled to the apparatus, in whichthe arbitration/isolation circuitry to select between the internal powersource and the external power source and wherein thearbitration/isolation circuitry is coupled to an internal data bus andoperable to couple to an external data bus of the external device, whenthe external device is coupled to the apparatus, in which thearbitration/isolation circuitry to select between the internal data busand the external data bus.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thearbitration/isolation circuitry selects between the internal powersource and external power source for coupling to the storage unit topower the storage unit.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein thearbitration/isolation circuitry selects between the internal data busand the external data bus for coupling to the storage unit to performdata transfer with the storage unit.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3,further including a port to couple to the external device.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 3, wherein the port utilizes a Universal Serial Bus(USB) connection.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3, further including acentral processing circuitry coupled to the internal data bus and theinternal data bus coupled to the arbitration/isolation circuitry via asecond port.
 7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the external devicethat couples to the apparatus is a computing device.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein the external device that couples to the apparatus is amobile phone.
 9. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the external devicethat couples to the apparatus is a MP3 player.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein the external device that couples to the apparatus is aPDA device.
 11. An apparatus comprising: a storage unit to store data; afirst port operable to couple to an external device, when the externaldevice is coupled to the apparatus, in which the first port couplesexternal data bus and external power bus from the external device; asecond port coupled to an internal data bus of the apparatus; anarbitration/isolation circuitry coupled to the storage unit, internalpower source and to the first and second ports, wherein thearbitration/isolation circuitry is operable to select between theinternal power source and the external power bus to power the storageunit and wherein the arbitration/isolation circuitry to select betweenthe internal data bus and the external data bus to perform data transferwith the storage unit.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the firstand second ports reside on a motherboard.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the first port utilizes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection.14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first port utilizes anEthernet based connection.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein thefirst port utilizes a Firewire based connection.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the storage unit is a hard drive, a CDROM drive, a DVDdrive, an optical drive, a FLASH drive, a magnetic drive, or a randomaccess memory (RAM).
 17. A method comprising: coupling an externaldevice to a computing device, wherein the computing device includes aninternal power source to power the computing device and a storage unitto store data, and wherein the external device couples an external powerto the computing device via an external power bus and also couples anexternal data bus to transfer data between the computing device and theexternal device; using an arbitration/isolation circuitry, coupled tothe storage unit, to select between the internal power source and theexternal power bus to power the storage unit and to select between aninternal data bus and the external data bus to perform data transferwith the storage unit.
 18. The method of claim 17, further includingusing the arbitration/isolation circuitry to power the storage unitusing external power from the external device and transferring data fromthe storage unit to the external device.
 19. The method of claim 18,wherein the coupling is achieved through a Universal Serial Bus (USB)connection.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein transferring data fromthe storage unit includes transferring encrypted data.